St Joseph's Church, North Ward facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Joseph's Church, North Ward |
|
|---|---|
| St Joseph on The Strand | |
St Josephs Church, 2006
|
|
| 19°15′12″S 146°49′03″E / 19.2532°S 146.8175°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | January 1919 |
| Founder(s) | Bishop of Rockhampton Joseph Shiel |
| Dedication | Saint Joseph |
| Consecrated | 10 July 1921 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
|
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1920 - 1921 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Reinforced concrete; corrugated iron |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Townsville |
St Joseph's Church is a special old church in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It's a Roman Catholic church located on Fryer Street in North Ward. Famous architects Charles Dalton Lynch and Walter Hunt designed it. Joseph Rooney built the church between 1920 and 1921. People also call it St Joseph on The Strand. This church is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1999. This means it's a protected historical building.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
Early Days of the Church
The first St Joseph's Church was built in 1872. It was made of timber and stood near the ocean on The Strand. Sadly, a big flood in 1892 washed this first church away into the sea.
For many years, Townsville was part of the Rockhampton Diocese. Catholics in Townsville hoped to have their own diocese. They worked hard to build new churches and schools. This included the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Building the New St Joseph's
Plans for a new St Joseph's Church began in 1918. The Townsville architects CD Lynch and Walter Hunt designed it. Bishop Joseph Shiel laid the foundation stone in January 1919. Joseph Rooney, from the well-known Rooney building company, constructed the church.
The new church officially opened on July 10, 1921. Bishop Shiel and Archbishop James Duhig were there. This new church faced Fryer Street, close to where the first church stood.
Special Features and Changes
The church's beautiful altar was designed by Monsignor Bourke. Joseph Rooney built it in memory of his family. They tragically died when the ship Yongala sank in 1911.
St Joseph's Church has always been a busy place for the Catholic community. A primary school and a secondary school were built nearby. These schools helped many children in the area.
In the 1950s, small parts were added to the church. In the 1980s, the inside layout changed a bit. A raised platform was added for the altar. Some pews and statues were removed. However, the special Rooney Commemorative Altar stayed.
What the Church Looks Like
Outside the Church
St Joseph's Church is made of strong reinforced concrete. It has a corrugated iron roof. The main part of the church has a pointed arch entrance. This entrance has wooden doors. Above it is a large window with five tall, narrow sections.
The sides of the church have pointed archways. These archways hide a lower roof. Each side has a pointed arch entrance with wooden doors. The windows are made of leadlight glass. They have three tall, narrow sections.
At the back of the church, there are more leadlight windows. A circular leadlight window is at the very top. The church has strong buttresses, which are supports built into the walls.
Inside the Church
When you go inside, you'll see a wooden gallery above the entrance. You can reach it by a timber staircase. The main area, called the nave, has a special roof. It's a scissor braced King-post roof with curved wooden supports.
The church has a very detailed carved wooden altar. It stands on a raised platform at the back. The altar has many pointed arch sections. These sections hold statues. There's also another carved wooden altar on one side.
You'll find wooden pews for people to sit on. There are also decorative Stations of the Cross on the walls. A special plaque remembers Monsignor Bourke.
Why St Joseph's Church is Special
A Piece of History
St Joseph's Church is important for showing how the Catholic Church grew in North Queensland. It was built between 1920 and 1921. It also shows how buildings were made stronger after cyclones. Reinforced concrete was a new material for churches then.
Beautiful Design
The church has a beautiful design, especially inside. It has a lovely altar, a unique roof, and pretty leadlight windows. Its style is called Gothic Revival. It looks great on Fryer Street.
Important to the Community
St Joseph's Church has been a central place for the Catholic community in Townsville since the 1920s. It's where people come to worship and gather. It's the second church built on this site.
The altar itself is very special. Joseph Rooney built it to remember his family. They were lost when the ship Yongala sank. This shows a strong connection to local history.
Work of Talented People
The church is a great example of the work of CD Lynch and Walter Hunt. They were important architects in Townsville. It also shows the skill of Rooney Ltd, a famous building company in North Queensland.
